Foton and TÜV Rheinland Expand Global Strategic Partnership in Europe

Foton Motor and TÜV Rheinland have signed a new strategic cooperation agreement in Cologne, Germany, marking a new stage in their more than 20-year partnership.

The agreement will establish a regular communication and cooperation mechanism between the two companies. Their cooperation will cover complete vehicles, vehicle systems, components and related industries.

The two sides will focus on several key areas, including connected vehicles and data security, testing and certification for new-energy vehicles, market access for vehicles and components in different countries, supply chain quality, carbon footprints and other sustainability services.

The agreement was signed at TÜV Rheinland's global headquarters in Cologne.

Foton Executive Vice President Liu Xuguang, President of Foton's Overseas Business Division Wu Zongtian, TÜV Rheinland Global Senior Vice President of Engineering and Type Approval for Mobility Thomas Quernheim, and Senior Vice President of Mobility for Central and Eastern Europe Sergey Amirkhanov attended the signing ceremony.

The agreement comes during IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 in Hannover.

During the show, Foton officially announced its Europe strategy. The company also delivered its 13 millionth vehicle globally, an AUMAN GALAXY 9, to the European market. At the same time, Foton's BEACON heavy-duty truck from its CAVAN brand made its overseas debut.

As part of its goal to become a world-class commercial vehicle manufacturer, Foton has set targets for 2030. New-energy vehicles are expected to account for 50% of its sales, while international business is expected to account for 40%.

Europe is one of the key markets in Foton's global strategy. The company sees Europe as an important market for upgrading its brand and expanding its international business.

TÜV Rheinland will continue to support Foton as a long-term partner as the company expands its business in Europe and other global markets.

“Over the past more than 20 years, TÜV Rheinland has been a trusted partner of Foton in engineering and type approval,” said Thomas Quernheim. “This agreement further strengthens our cooperation and creates new opportunities for future development.”

“As Foton moves forward with its Europe strategy, TÜV Rheinland is ready to support the company with its global network, regulatory expertise and testing and certification capabilities. We will help Foton enter European and other global markets more safely, efficiently and quickly,” he added.

Liu Xuguang said the discussions with TÜV Rheinland provided Foton with a better understanding of the latest developments in European vehicle type approval, differences in regulations among EU member states, in-service emissions compliance testing, autonomous driving approval and vehicle data compliance.

“These discussions have also provided useful information for Foton as we further develop our business in Europe,” Liu said.

Going forward, Foton will continue to develop its local operations in Europe. The company will work with TÜV Rheinland to expand cooperation in regulatory certification, technical compliance, intelligent driving, data security and local services.

The two companies also aim to support Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturers in entering and developing in the European market with products and services that meet local requirements.

Foton and TÜV Rheinland began working together in 2005. The two companies signed their first strategic cooperation agreement in 2017. Over the past more than 20 years, they have continued to work together on market access in countries and regions around the world.

So far, TÜV Rheinland has supported testing and certification for more than 100 Foton vehicle models in multiple global markets.

As part of their cooperation, Foton's key laboratory for energy conservation and emissions reduction received TÜV Rheinland recognition. Foton's EMC laboratory at its testing center also received TÜV Rheinland's witness laboratory qualification for E-mark certification.

TÜV Rheinland also supported Foton's Auman Zhilan M4 electric truck in obtaining EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA), an important step toward access to the EU market.

In addition, TÜV Rheinland supported a Foton subsidiary in obtaining a Separate Technical Unit (STU) type approval certificate for its Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) system. The certification helped the company reduce costs and improve efficiency.

In 2025, TÜV Rheinland received the “Best Business Support Award” at Foton's Global Partners Conference. It was the only technical service provider to receive the award.

After more than 20 years of cooperation, Foton and TÜV Rheinland are now expanding their partnership into more areas.

The two companies will continue to work together in Europe and other global markets, supporting Foton's local development in Europe and its broader international expansion.

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